Trending 
British police have arrested Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on suspicion of misconduct in public office linked to his time as a UK trade envoy.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Thames Valley Police said officers had detained a man in his sixties from Norfolk as part of an ongoing investigation.
“As part of the investigation, we have today (19/2) arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office.”
While the force did not identify the suspect by name, it confirmed that searches were being carried out at properties in Berkshire and Norfolk following the arrest.
“As part of the investigation, we have today (19/2) arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office and are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk.”
Several UK media reported a fleet of unmarked cars, believed to be police vehicles, were seen arriving early Thursday at the Sandringham estate in eastern England where Andrew now resides.
Unprecedented in Britain’s modern era, the arrest was a new blow for the ousted royal, who was marking his 66th birthday on Thursday.
The development comes after fresh disclosures related to convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein suggested that Andrew may have shared potentially confidential documents with Epstein during his tenure as Britain’s trade envoy.
In a November 2010 email seen by AFP, Andrew appeared to share with Epstein reports on Vietnam, Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Singapore following an official visit to Asia.
The ex-royal also reportedly sent the American financier details of the trip, on which he was accompanied by Epstein’s business associates, along with investment opportunities months later.
The former prince was eventually stripped of his titles after one of Epstein’s victims alleged she had been trafficked to have sex with him.
Meanwhile, Andrew has previously denied any wrongdoing in his associations with Epstein.
The Police has stated that the arrest and property searches form part of inquiries into his alleged misconduct in public office.
